SOMERSWORTH ― In his four years with the Somersworth High School boys hockey team, Peter Robertson has experienced both the thrill of an undefeated state-championship season and the low of a losing campaign. Through it all, he’s been a mainstay between the pipes for his team, once known as the Hilltoppers and now known as the Bearcats.

Robertson recently picked up his 50th career victory as a goalie with a 3-2 win over Lebanon on Feb. 6. The senior reflected on his career, which has just four regular-season games remaining.

“The highs have been better, but you get through the lows,” Robertson said. “We’re all friends on the team. We’re in a tough division this year and the competition is tougher, but we look on the bright side of things.”

Robertson started every game for the Hilltoppers in 2010-2011 when the team went undefeated en route to the Division III championship. Hard times hit Somersworth the next season, as the graduation of the bulk of that championship team left the Hilltoppers with low numbers.

The program merged with Coe-Brown this season and took on the nickname Bearcats. But the merger also required the team to move up to Division II, and the results haven’t been pretty in terms of wins and losses. The Bearcats were 2-11 going into Wednesday night’s game against Kingswood.

Through it all, Robertson and his teammates, especially his five fellow seniors, have remained an upbeat unit.

“We expected not to do as well moving up to Division II,” Robertson said. “We knew we wouldn’t win every single game. It’s kind of going how we expected. But it’s been just a great group of kids. All of them have the right attitude. We’re looking just to have fun.”

Somersworth coach Ron Siering said Robertson has done well despite the pressure of playing in a competitive division.

“He’s had a lot of responsibility put on his shoulders,” Siering said. “The team looks to him to carry them. He’s a great goaltender with good leadership traits. He’ll be sadly missed next year. He’s a great asset to the team.”

Siering worked closely with Robertson as an assistant coach for two seasons before taking over as head coach this year.

“He’s a typical goaltender,” Siering said. “He doesn’t say too much. He keeps his head down and works hard, not just at practice. He goes in for extra help. He’s put a lot of effort into it and it definitely shows.”

In 2011, the Hilltoppers capped a storybook season with an 8-3 win over Kennett in the D-III championship game at Verizon Wireless Arena. Robertson made 19 saves in the victory.

That team’s distinguishing characteristic, according to Robertson, was its unselfishness.

“It was just a bunch of talented players,” Robertson said. “They weren’t all about themselves ― they were team players and good kids. It was fun to play with them.”

Robertson said the merger with Coe-Brown has been a positive move for the program.

“It’s different to have two schools together, but we played with a lot of them in youth hockey,” Robertson said. “It’s not just a bunch of new kids. It’s a good chance for all of us to get to be able to play.”

While the Bearcats may very well have thrived this season in D-III, Robertson said he has no regrets about the program’s move to D-II

“It’s a lot better skill division,” Robertson said. “In D-III we probably would have done a lot better, but it’s a neat experience. Growing up I’ve always wanted to play against Spaulding and Dover. I see their rivalry, and I want us to have one like that.”

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Traip Academy junior Kelsey Barnes won the Western Maine Class B championship in pole vault last Monday at the regional meet at the University of Southern Maine, part of a fourth-place finish for the Traip girls.

Barnes set the Western Maine Conference record earlier this season, clearing the bar at 10 feet, 10 inches. Her winning mark at the regional meet was 10-6.

“It feels pretty good,” Barnes said. “I know I wasn’t jumping my best, but I was using the meet as kind of a pre-meet for states. I’m focusing on winning a state championship.”

The state meet will be Monday morning at Bates College.

“She came into the season very ready to go,” Traip coach Larissa Simonds said. “She came from a very structured coaching background. She’s been a great asset to the team, and her season came together really well.”

Barnes transferred this season from San Diego, Calif. In addition to coping with the culture shock of moving all the way across the country, Barnes trains diligently with a private coach twice a week at Harvard University. She also works with team volunteer pole vault coach John Shontag.

Also performing well at the regional meet for Traip was Ashleigh Roberts, who won the 55-meter hurdles in 9.10 seconds. Hannah Nightingale was second in the 55-meter hurdles in 9.27 seconds. Jocelyn Lorrey took second place in the long jump (16-5) and the triple jump (35-3). On the boys side, Ralph Humiston was second in the pole vault at 10-6.

“We don’t have a lot of numbers, but we have quality athletes,” Simonds said. “The girls team really wants it. They’ve done great all year.”